THESIS APPROVAL

whole live worms under stereomicroscope. The worms had slender, cylindrical body,
which the body wall was so thin. Both two ends of their bodies were pointed. These
worms had reddish bodies which were split into segments. Each segment composed
of short bristles setae. They could move by stretching and pulling their bodies along
in a worm-like fashion. They coiled tightly when disturbed.
Figure 12 Features of the whole live worm under stereo microscope, 65x.
Figure 13 depicted some morphological features of L. hoffmeisteri
observed from this study. The active worms were characterized by a total length
between 20-30 (25.52±3.29) mm. Size of these worms measured on wet weight basis
was varied from about 3.154 to 4.557 (3.813±0.46) mg wwt. The worms had clearly
segmented body of which the total count ranging from 50-90 (64.8±13.34) segments.
The head was composed of distinguish triangular prostomium, whereas the tail was
round. Setae could be found on most segments. All bifid crochets were found in both
dorsal and ventral bundles, which the upper tooth was less shorter and thinner than the
lower. Hair setae and pectinate setae were absent from L. hoffmeisteri. Anterior
dorsal bundles were composed of 5-6 setae while ventral bundles were composed of
6-7 setae. Posterior setae had become reduced in number falling to 2-3 setae which
were shorter than the anterior. Although a few of specimens appeared to be sexually
maturing which the genital structures began to develop in segment XI, no sign of
partly or fully developed penis sheaths was present through the body wall.
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